Support apparel such as back support and system

ABSTRACT

An improved support belt, support apparel, along with a process for creating such products. A mechanism by which support belts provide protection to the user is disclosed, which mechanism is generally applicable to all human joints.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to support apparel such as back supports,wrist supports and the like, and to systems for designing and testingsuch apparel.

[0005] It is well known that the lifting of heavy objects can result inback injuries. Such injuries are even more likely to occur when themuscles supporting the back become fatigued, as can occur to truckdrivers and the like as a result of the vibratory motion of the vehicle.In those circumstances, even the lifting of a light object can causeinjury to the back. It should also be appreciated that other workersalso require back support while performing their regular tasks. Forexample, fire fighters and construction workers, as well as laboratoryworkers, barbers and hairdressers, could use additional back support inperforming their daily jobs. Many of these workers are required to (orchoose to) wear certain items (hereinafter generically referred to asgarments) which might interfere with the wearing of a support devicesuch as a belt. For example, fire fighters, laboratory technicians,doctors, nurses, barbers and hairdressers often wear coats or jacketswhile performing their jobs. Likewise, construction workersconventionally wear tool belts, reflective vests, and the like.Conventional back supports are not always readily useable with theseitems of apparel.

[0006] Back supports have been provided to protect a person's back frominjury. One such back support is sold by Chase Ergonomics under thetrade designation Lumbar Lock. This back support includes a support beltwhich removably wraps around the lower abdomen or pelvis of a user andsuspender-like shoulder straps which help prevent the support belt fromsliding down during use. A pair of cinch straps are disposed over thesupport belt (which contains sewn in orthopedic boning stays) and areremovably fastened together over the support belt. The support belt incombination with the cinch straps provide the desired back support.During non-active periods, wearers often loosen support tension orunclasp support belts completely, a practice generally encouraged bymanufacturers of these devices. Many manufacturers of support beltssimply recommend wearing support belts about the waist.

[0007] Various approaches have been taken in the past to improve uponsupport apparel such as back supports. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,548,843 to Chase et al. discloses an improved back support. Thatparticular support discloses a back support with numerous adjustmentsincluding the use of a beaded pad (best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) disposedat an adjustable position in the small of the back of the human wearer(see, e.g., pad 13 in FIG. 2).

[0008] It has been discovered, however, that the support of the '843patent to Chase et al. can be improved. It appears that many backinjuries, for example, are caused by the application of sudden,unexpected loads. The back apparently overcompensates for these loadsand, in effect, injures itself. Back supports in general appear toreduce the possibility or severity of such injuries, but it has beendiscovered that they can be improved.

[0009] For example, the inventors of the present invention havediscovered that currently available back supports are almost uniformlyworn incorrectly—i.e. (at the user's waist or higher), a position thathas been discovered to be less than optimal in reducing and eliminatinginjury. Moreover, it has been found that currently available backsupports do not apply forces to the human torso in the optimal manner toreduce or eliminate back injuries.

[0010] More generally, presently available support apparel heretoforehave been designed and tested using somewhat hit-or-miss methods. As aresult, the efficacy of such apparel has varied, apparentlyinexplicably. It would be a major improvement to have a systematicmethod or system for designing such support apparel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The various aspects of the present invention are directed to oneor more of the following objects:

[0012] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide animproved item of support apparel.

[0013] Another object is to provide a support which is worn in a way toimprove its ability to reduce injury.

[0014] A third object is to provide a support with improved ability toprotect the wearer against the effects of sudden and unexpected loads.

[0015] A fourth object is to provide an improved method of designing andtesting support apparel.

[0016] A fifth object is the provision of an improved method forreducing back injury.

[0017] These and other objects will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a review of the following description and accompanyingdrawings.

[0018] Briefly, in a first aspect of the present invention a method ofreducing back injury includes the steps of placing a support belt aboutthe lower trunk of a human user, tightening the support belt so as toapply pressure of at least a first level to predetermined points alongthe sides of the lower trunk, the support belt as a whole applying anaverage pressure that is lower than the first pressure around the lowertrunk of the human user, the lower pressure being a second pressurelevel. The localized pressure of the first level (in combination withthe more generalized pressure of the second level reduces the tendencyof the muscles of the back of the human user to overcompensate to suddenor unexpected loading events. The pressure of the second level iscomparable to that exerted by existing support belts, and may vary fromuser to user (depending upon how tight the cinch straps are tightened).The pressure of the second level is, in effect, the average pressureapplied by the belt. Whatever the second level, the pressure of thefirst level is higher and applied to specific, localized positions (asdescribed below) to achieve the advantageous results of the presentinvention.

[0019] In a second aspect of the present invention, a support belt forreducing back injury includes a support belt body sized to fit about thelower trunk of a human user, the support belt body having a frontdesigned to be worn along the front of the lower trunk of the humanuser, a back designed to be worn along the back of the lower trunk ofthe human user, and sides designed to be worn along the sides of thehuman user. First and second sets of protrusions are disposed along thesides of the support belt body so as to press against the sides of thelower trunk of the human user during use. The protrusions of each setare of a size to apply pressure at recognizably separate points alongeach side of the lower trunk of the human user, so that the pressureapplied by the protrusions reduces any tendency of the muscles of theback of the human user to overcompensate to sudden or unexpected loadingevents.

[0020] In a third aspect of the present invention, a method of reducingfatigue of a human includes the steps of instructing a human user toplace a support belt about the lower trunk of a human user, in aposition substantially lower than an average position for placement ofsupport belts, placing the support belt in the substantially lowerposition, and tightening the support belt in the substantially lowerposition and retaining the support belt in the substantially lowerposition during the time the support belt is worn by the human user.

[0021] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method ofimproving lifting and lowering technique for a human includes the stepsof instructing a human user to place a support belt about the lowertrunk of the human user, in a position substantially lower than theaverage position for placement of support belts, placing the supportbelt in said substantially lower position, tightening the support beltin the substantially lower position and retaining the support belt inthe substantially lower position during the time the support belt isworn by the human user.

[0022] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method of testingergonomic support belts to evaluate the change in the estimated forces,moments, or stresses applied to an intervertebral disc upon applying apredetermined external load to a human subject includes the steps offitting a plurality of human subjects with an ergonomic support belt,applying a predetermined load to the series of human subjects, measuringmuscle response to the application of the predetermined external load ofeach human subject, estimating the forces, moments, or stresses appliedto at least one intervertebral disc of the human subject, modifying theergonomic support belt, and repeating these steps until a modifiedergonomic support belt exhibiting minimized forces, moments, or stressesapplied to at least one intervertebral disc is selected.

[0023] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a method of reducingback injury in a human subject includes the steps of securing anergonomic back support to the human such that a first force applyingstructure is disposed adjacent a first preselected location of the bodyof the human, and a second force applying structure is disposed adjacenta first preselected location of the body of the human, the first andsecond force applying structures in use applying substantially similarforces, moments, or stresses to the human body, said back supportintermediate said first and second force applying structures applyingforces, moments, or stresses to the human body that substantially differfrom the forces, moments, or stresses applied by the first and secondstructures.

[0024] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, a system formodeling the response of a human subject to suddenly applied loadsincludes at least one sensor for measuring muscle response in the trunkof the human subject to the suddenly applied load, at least one sensorfor measuring forces, moments or stresses at the feet of the humansubject resulting from the application of the suddenly applied load, anda computer under software control for receiving input from the sensorsfor modeling the forces, moments, or stresses applied to at least oneintervertebral disc of the human subject as a result of the suddenlyapplied load being applied to the human subject.

[0025] In an eighth aspect of the present invention a system foranalyzing the response of human bodies to loading events such asunexpected or sudden loading events includes a link-dynamics model and afinite element model of the human body stored in a computer readableform, the model including models of bones, and further including modelsof soft tissues, including muscles and organs. The system furtherincludes an apparatus for applying loading events to the bodies of humansubjects, the loading events being selected from the group consisting ofsudden, expected loading events and unexpected loading events. Sensorsdetect the response of each human body in at least one body location tothe loading events. A computer receives data from the sensors and usesthe models and the data from the sensors to determine the response ofhuman subjects in at least a second location of the human body to theloading events.

[0026] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, an item of supportapparel for reducing the risk of injury to a human user includes asupport body for substantially encircling at least a part of a humanbody, at least one side panel disposed at a predetermined position alongthe support body, and a plurality of protrusions at the side panel toapply selectively increased pressure to the human body at a positiondetermined by the location of the side panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art back support in aclosed position, a wearer being shown in position;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with parts broken away for clarity,illustrating improved placement of a support belt.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating desired placement of forceapplying regions around the lower torso of a human user.

[0030]FIGS. 4 and 5 are front elevations of force applying areas of thesupport belt of the present invention.

[0031]FIGS. 6 through 8 are schematic illustrations of a system fortesting and improving support apparel.

[0032] Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 represents anillustrative embodiment of a prior art back support. Back support 1includes a support belt 3, shoulder strap or suspenders 5, and asecondary belt 7. It should be understood that belt 3 preferablyincludes support stays build therein in the conventional manner. Backsupport 1 is worn around the lower torso of a wearer “W” to providesupport for the wearer's back. Shoulder straps 5 are connected tosupport belt 3 as shown at 6 on the left and right sides of the frontportion of the belt and are connected to the back portion 3A of belt 3as indicated at 8. The shoulder straps could include conventionalquick-release fasteners if desired. The shoulder straps include a pairof loops 21 and 23 through which pass secondary belt 7.

[0034] Support belt 3 includes padded left and right free ends 11L and11R. Both free ends have hook and pile fastener material secured toouter surfaces thereof. One of the free ends (free end 11L in FIG. 1)also has mating hook and pile fastener material secured to the innersurface thereof, which in combination with the corresponding fastenermaterial of the other free end (free end 11R) is used by the wearer toremovably secure belt 3 around the waist of the user. For a completedescription of back support 1, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,843, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] It has been discovered that the prior art support belt would bemore effective if it were worn differently. Rather than being wornaround the waist, support belts should be worn lower than shown inFIG. 1. Specifically, in accordance with the present invention, supportbelt 3 should be worn with the top, front edge T of the support belt 3 adistance “s” approximately one to approximately two inches below thenavel N of the human user H, as shown in FIG. 2. When worn in this way,with the belt in a position substantially lower than the averageplacement of support belts, human fatigue of the wearer is reduced, asis the probability of back injury to the wearer. Wearing a support beltin this lower than normal position also results in reduced risk ofinjury during lifting and carrying of heavy objects. See, e.g., Udo etal., “The Effect of a Preventive Belt on the Incidence of Low BackPain”, Results presented in 1991 at Japan Industrial Hygiene SocietyLumbago Study Group and Chungoku and Shikoku Districts Joint IndustrialHygiene Society.

[0036] Note that in FIG. 2, support belt 3 provides minimal (i.e.,insignificant) support at or above the navel of the human user. Ifdesired in the case of support belts, the belt of the present inventionmay also include placement structures such as interior belt loops,releasable shoulder straps, or back pad adjustments disposed tofacilitate the placement of the support body at least one inch below thenavel of a human user wearing the support apparel.

[0037] It has also been discovered that the prior art support belts canbe improved in another way. As mentioned above, beaded pads such asthose shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,843 are known forplacement on support belts against the small of the back of the wearer.By way of illustration, a support belt 3 represented schematically asviewed from the top is shown in FIG. 3. In this representation, thefront of the belt is at 0 degrees and the beaded pad 13 of the prior artis disposed at 180 degrees. It has been discovered that superior results(in terms of preventing back injury) are achieved when similar beadedpads are disposed at roughly at 90 degrees and 270 degrees instead of at180 degrees, as indicated by phantom pads 13A in FIG. 3. Morespecifically, the center of the beaded pads are preferably located justslightly forward of the 90 and 270 degree positions on the belt. Forsimplicity of description, these positions are referred to herein as 90and 270 degree, although variation (particularly toward the front of thebelt) is contemplated. The additional pressure from pads 13A (or simplyfrom beads or other protrusions incorporated into the belt, or someother mechanical expedient) reduces the tendency of the muscles of theback of the human user to overcompensate in response to sudden orunexpected loading events. It is believed they also supply activestimulation to the muscles, thereby reducing overcompensation as well asreducing fatigue of the user.

[0038] Although represented as beaded pads in FIG. 3, it should beunderstood that what is required is any structure for continuouslyapplying force (and correspondingly, pressure) to the sides of the lowertrunk of the human user in an amount greater than the average force (andpressure) applied by the support belt. A simple way to provide thisadditional force and pressure is with protrusions such as beads, butother mechanical means could be used. If beads or other protrusions areused, they need not be on a separate pad. Moreover, the protrusions arenot intended to be limited to any particular distribution. Distributionswith varying separations of varying numbers of protrusions of varyingheights and shapes on varying sized regions in varying locations of thesupport all fall within the intended scope of the present invention.

[0039] The protrusions may be incorporated directly into or attachedindividually to the fabric of the support belt at the 90 and 270 degreepositions. It is preferred, although not necessary, that the beads orother protrusions be firmly supported in place, so as to apply thedesired force and pressure to the sides of the user. For example, amaterial providing a firmer foundation for the protrusions than would beprovided by the rest of the material making up the belt could be useful.It is preferred that the forces applied to the lower sides of the trunkof the human wearer be preselected to minimize the forces, moments, orstresses applied to at least one intervertebral disc of the human. Theparticular preselected force may vary from individual to individual, butin any event is higher than the average force applied by the belt. It ispreferred that the forces applied at the 90 degree and 270 degreepositions be substantially higher than the forces applied by the backsupport intermediate these positions.

[0040] The present invention does not exclude other pressure applyingregions, but does contemplate additional application of force andpressure at either the 90 degree position or the 270 degree position,and preferably both. For example, in FIG. 3 it is preferred thatadditional pressure be applied at the 90 and 270 degree positions bybeaded pads, integral protrusions, etc., either with or without thepresence of beaded pad 13 at the intermediate 180 degree position.

[0041] The protrusions, labeled 51, are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 extendinganteriorly from a side panel 53 of the support belt 3 toward the body ofthe wearer. The protrusions of FIG. 4 are hemispherical, while those ofFIG. 5 are conical. Other shapes could, of course be used. It ispreferred that side panels 53 have a firmness that is higher than theaverage firmness of the support belt to provide a foundation for theprotrusions. It should be understood that the location of each sidepanel (or the protrusions themselves, when no separate side panel ispresent) is determined from factors such as body shape, body size, age,conditioning, and sex.

[0042] Various placements and sizes of protrusions may be used. It hasbeen found that good results are achieved when the protrusions of thetwo sets, at the 90 degree and 270 degree positions, are disposedbetween approximately four millimeters and approximately seventymillimeters, measured center to center, from each other. It has likewisebeen found that good results are achieved when the protrusions have aheight of from approximately one eighth (3.175 millimeters) or onequarter inch (6.35 millimeters) to approximately one inch (25.4 mm). Inthe event that the protrusions are hemispherical, it is preferred thatthe protrusions have a corresponding radius. A variety of protrusionshapes may be used. Protrusions with circular cross-sections andhemispherical shapes are discussed above. But the protrusions could havecross-sections that are based on, but not limited to the followingshapes: triangle, square, trapezoidal, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon,increasing numbers of sides approaching a circle, star-shaped with avariety of points and shapes of points, irregular, fractal, chaotic,spiral, variations on a buttressed or supported post, any of the aboveshapes with regions scalloped out in a regular or irregular or fractalfashion, rigid foam, honeycomb, etc. Similarly, the other views of theprotrusion shape could indicate protrusion shapes based on, but notlimited to: conical, pyramidal, triangular, rectangular, square,trapezoidal, ovoid, irregular, fractal, chaotic, tapered in variousways, a post with one or more buttresses or supports, etc. The region ofthe protrusion that contacts the user or the user's clothing could alsohave a variety of geometric characteristics including but not limitedto: flat, continuous by some means of specification with the rest of theshape of the protrusion, inverted, recessed, pointed, undulating,dimpled, multiple recesses, multiple raised regions, fractal, chaotic, asurface with some specifiable roughness characteristic, bulbous, etc.The protrusions of each set apply pressure at recognizably separatepoints along each side of the lower trunk of the human user and thepressure applied by the protrusions reduces any tendency of the musclesof the back of the human user to overcompensate in response to sudden orunexpected loading events.

[0043] In those situations where the invention is being used inconnection with joint braces other than back braces, the dimensions anddistribution of those protrusions may be different than those set forthabove. For example, the height of the protrusions for smaller jointscould be as small as one sixteenth of an inch (1.6 millimeters). Itshould also be realized that the metric conversions of the English unitsgiven herein are not intended to limit the present invention to aparticular degree of accuracy in the dimensions recited. The dimensionsgiven are intended to be within plus/minus 10% or so.

[0044] It is preferred that the body of the support, and the side panels(if present) be composed of elastic material. Such material, such asLycra [Spandex] is well-known. Such material typically has a warp axisand a weft axis transverse thereto. It is preferred, to properly applypressure at the 90 and 270 degree positions, that the elastic materialbe cut so that the weft axis substantially encircles the human body (orthe relevant joint in the cases of knee braces, wrist braces, etc.).

[0045] It would be desirable to be able to test in a meaningful way theeffectiveness of support belts, both for measurement purposes and to aidin the design of improved belts. To that end, the present inventors havedeveloped the system shown in FIGS. 6-8. This system, labeled 100, isparticularly useful in modeling the response of a human subject tosuddenly applied loads. The system shown includes sensors 101 (FIG. 7)for measuring muscle response of the subject, specifically erectormuscle response in the subject's back and abdominal muscle response.Preferably these sensors 101 are surface mounted electrodes that measureEMG activity of the muscles at the L3 level, 3 cm bilaterally. The exactplacement depends upon the particular analysis desired. The sensors onthe abdominal muscles could be eliminated, with a corresponding loss ofdata. The system also includes a force plate 103 connected to a platformon which the subject stands to measure forces, moments, or stresses atthe feet of the human subject resulting from the application of asuddenly applied load. A computer 105 (FIG. 7) under software controlreceives input from the sensors for modeling the forces, moments, orstresses applied to at least one intervertebral disc of the humansubject as a result of the suddenly applied load being applied to thehuman subject. It is preferred that one or more motion sensors, such asSelspot IREDs 107 be used for measuring motion of at least one bodysegment (in this case leg and lower back motion) resulting from theapplication of the suddenly applied load. The motion was sensed at asuitable frequency, such as 100 Hz.

[0046] In FIG. 6, the human subject HS is shown blindfolded and wearingheadphones (and listening to broadcast radio carrier noise) to eliminatevarious clues as to the timing of the application of the load. Thesubject holds a pan 109 containing a load cell 111 for measuring thetime course of the magnitude of the suddenly applied load. Load cell111, like all the sensors, is suitably connected to computer 105 in aconventional manner.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the load of a predetermined amount (in thisexample 60 N) is applied by a ball 115 held by a releasable arm 117. Thearm 117 is released from a latch 119 at a time unknown by the humansubject, allowing the application of a sudden, unexpected load to thepan 109 being held by the subject. A typical load applied is shown inthe chart in FIG. 6A. This load is transmitted through the arms of thesubject to the subject's trunk. Similar loads may be applied directly tothe chest of the subject by means of apparatus 121 (FIG. 8). Chest loadsare also measured by a load cell, not shown. A typical chest load isshown in the chart in FIG. 8A.

[0048] The system 100 further includes a link-dynamics model and afinite element model of the human body stored in a computer readableform, which model includes models of bones, and further includes modelsof soft tissues, including muscles and organs. See, for example, themodels found in the following papers, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference: Lee, Seonghee (D G Wilder(supervisor), V K Goel, J B Park, J Rosecrance, M Kasra) Sudden load andthe lower back: Effect of load application and lumbar support. Ph.D.,Biomedical Engineering, The University of Iowa, Comprehensive exam: Dec.12, 2000, Defense: Jul 16, 2001; Kong, W. Z., Goel, V. K. andGilbertson, L. G.: Prediction of Biomechanical Parameters in the LumbarSpine during Static Sagittal Plane Lifting. ASME-J. Biomech. Engrg.,120, 273-280, 1998; Kong, W. Z., Goel, V. K., Gilbertson, L. G. andWeinstein, J. N.: Effects of Muscle Dysfunction on Lumbar SpineMechanics—A Finite Element Study Based on a Two Motion Segments Model.Spine, 21, 2197-2207, 1996; and Goel, V. K., Kong, W. Z., Han, J. S.,Weinstein, J. N. and Gilbertson, L. G.: A Combined Finite Element andOptimization Investigation of Lumbar Spine Mechanics with and withoutMuscles. Spine, 18, 1531-1541, 1993.

[0049] Computer 105 uses the models and the data from the sensors todetermine the response of human subjects in a desired location, such asthe response of muscle groups whose response is not being directlymeasured or the response of intervertebral disks, to the loading events.

[0050] The results from a single human subject are valuable, but theresults of system 100 from a plurality of human subjects may be usedmore broadly, such as to predict human body responses to loading events,including predicting differences in human body responses as a functionof body shape, body size, age, conditioning, and sex. The results from aplurality of subjects may also be used to predict long-term cumulativeinjuries, potential back injury, and potential joint injury. They mayalso be used to provide design information for support apparel such asback supports and joint braces.

[0051] In this latter case, a plurality of human subjects are fittedwith an ergonomic support belt and the predetermined, unexpected load(s)is applied to each. For example, actual testing in this manner has beendone using 24 right-handed male subjects. The system 100 estimates theforces, moments, or stresses applied to at least one intervertebral discof the human subject. The testing is then repeated with different (i.e.,modified) versions of the ergonomic support belt. This process isrepeated as desired until one of the ergonomic support belts is selectedthat exhibits minimized forces, moments, or stresses applied to at leastone intervertebral disc. This testing may reveal improved belt placementand improved belt structure, as described in the present application. Itmay also reveal other improvements heretofore undiscovered.

[0052] It should be understood that although the present invention isdescribed in connection primarily with a back support, it is not limitedin that way. The underlying discovery of how the body responds tosurprise sudden loads may be used, as described above, for thedevelopment of other support apparel such as protective products for theankle, knee, wrist, elbow and other joints, for example.

[0053] It is also believed that support belts of the type describedabove, with or without protrusions may be beneficial to other workerssuch as truck drivers, even while driving. People in seated, whole-bodyjolt/impact/vibration environments could benefit from these findings. Inthose cases, the forces, moments, or stresses could and would be appliedto the body by means in addition to those through the chest or hands.Forces, moments, or stresses could also be applied in succession in timeor simultaneously from many possible directions in that environment.

[0054] The forgoing description is set forth for illustrative purposesonly. Numerous variations, within the scope of the claims, may beapparent to those skilled in the art. For example, snaps, rather thanhook and pile fasteners may be used to close the belt 3 and to securethe cinch straps to the belt when the belt is being worn in its openposition. Similarly, snaps, buckle fasteners, hook and eye fasteners,and the like may be used to hold the belt in its open position. Theseexamples are merely illustrative.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of reducing back injury comprising:placing a support belt about the lower trunk of a human user; tighteningsaid support belt so as to apply pressure of at least a first level topredetermined points along the sides of the lower trunk, said supportbelt as a whole applying an average pressure of at least a second levelaround the lower trunk of the human user, the pressure of the firstlevel exceeding the average pressure of the second level; said pressureof the first level reducing the tendency of the muscles of the back ofthe human user to overcompensate to sudden or unexpected loading events.2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support belt includesprotrusions that in use are disposed along the sides of the lower trunkof the human user to apply said pressure of the first level.
 3. Themethod as set forth in claim 2 wherein the protrusions have a uniformcross-sectional shape.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein theprotrusions are disposed on a portion of the support belt having afirmness that is higher than the average firmness of the support belt.5. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the support belt issubstantially free from protrusions except for those disposed along thesides of the lower trunk of the human user during use.
 6. The method asset forth in claim 1 wherein the support belt includes first and secondsets of protrusions disposed along opposing sides of the support belt insuch positions as to be disposed along the sides of the lower trunk ofthe human user during use.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 6 whereinthe support belt further includes additional protrusions disposedintermediate the first and second sets of protrusions.
 8. The method asset forth in claim 1 wherein the support belt includes a first set ofprotrusions generally at a 90 degree position on the support belt and asecond set of protrusions generally at a 270 degree position on thesupport belt.
 9. A support belt for reducing back injury comprising: asupport belt body sized to fit about the lower trunk of a human user,said support belt body having a front designed to be worn along thefront of the lower trunk of the human user, a back designed to be wornalong the back of the lower trunk of the human user, and sides designedto be worn along the sides of the human user; first and second sets ofprotrusions disposed along the sides of the support belt body so as topress against the sides of the lower trunk of the human user during use;said protrusions of each set being of a size to apply pressure atrecognizably separate points along each side of the lower trunk of thehuman user, whereby the pressure applied by the protrusions reduces anytendency of the muscles of the back of the human user to overcompensateto sudden or unexpected loading events.
 10. The support belt as setforth in claim 9 wherein the protrusions are disposed on the anteriorsurface of the belt.
 11. The support belt as set forth in claim 9wherein the protrusions in a set are disposed between approximately fourmillimeters and approximately seventy millimeters, measured center tocenter, from each other.
 12. The support belt as set forth in claim 11further including additional protrusions disposed along the support beltbody between the first and second sets of protrusions, said additionalprotrusions applying less pressure to the lower trunk of the human userthan at least some of the protrusions of the first and second sets ofprotrusions.
 13. The support belt as set forth in claim 11 wherein theprotrusions have a height of from approximately one-eighth inch (3.175millimeters) to approximately one inch (25.4 mm)
 14. The support belt asset forth in claim 13 wherein the protrusions have a hemisphericalshape.
 15. A method of reducing fatigue of a human comprising:instructing a human user to place a support belt about the lower trunkof a human user, in a position substantially lower than an averageposition for placement of support belts; placing the support belt insaid substantially lower position; tightening the support belt in saidsubstantially lower position and retaining said support belt in saidsubstantially lower position during the time the support belt is worn bythe human user.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein in thesubstantially lower position the top, front edge of the support belt isapproximately one to approximately two inches below the navel of thehuman user, said belt in the substantially lower position providing onlyinsignificant support at or above the navel of the human user.
 17. Themethod as set forth in claim 15 further including continuously applyingpressure at points along the sides of the lower trunk of the human userin an amount greater than the average pressure applied by the supportbelt.
 18. A method of improving lifting and lowering technique for ahuman comprising: instructing a human user to place a support belt aboutthe lower trunk of the human user, in a position substantially lowerthan the average position for placement of support belts; placing thesupport belt in said substantially lower position; tightening thesupport belt in said substantially lower position and retaining saidsupport belt in said substantially lower position during the time thesupport belt is worn by the human user.
 19. The method as set forth inclaim 18 wherein in the substantially lower position the top, front edgeof the support belt is approximately one to approximately two inchesbelow the navel of the human user, said belt in the substantially lowerposition providing only insignificant support at or above the navel ofthe human user.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 18 furtherincluding continuously applying pressure at points along the sides ofthe lower trunk of the human user in an amount greater than the averagepressure applied by the support belt.
 21. A method of testing ergonomicsupport belts to evaluate the change in the estimated forces, moments,or stresses applied to an intervertebral disc upon applying apredetermined external load to a human subject comprising: (a) fitting aplurality of human subjects with an ergonomic support belt; (b) applyinga predetermined load to the series of human subjects; (c) measuringmuscle response to the application of the predetermined external load ofeach human subject; (d) estimating the forces, moments, or stressesapplied to at least one intervertebral disc of the human subject; (e)modifying the ergonomic support belt; (f) repeating steps (c), (d) and(e); and (g) selecting a modified ergonomic support belt of step (e)exhibiting minimized forces, moments, or stresses applied to at leastone intervertebral disc measured by step (d).
 22. The method of claim21, wherein step (e) of modifying the ergonomic support belt comprisesusing a computer under software control to model the forces, moments, orstresses applied by the ergonomic support belt to the human subject. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein the forces, moments, or stresses areapplied to a preselected portion of the body of the human subject.
 24. Amethod of testing ergonomic support belts to evaluate the change in theestimated forces, moments, or stresses applied to an intervertebral discupon applying a predetermined external load to a human subjectcomprising: (a) fitting a plurality of human subjects with an ergonomicsupport belt; (b) applying a predetermined load to the series of humansubjects; (c) measuring muscle response to the application of thepredetermined external load of each human subject; (d) estimating theforces, moments, or stresses applied to at least one intervertebral discof the human subject; (e) modifying the ergonomic support belt; (f)repeating steps (c) and (d); and (g) selecting a modified ergonomicsupport belt of step (e) exhibiting minimized forces, moments, orstresses applied to at least one intervertebral disc measured by step(d).
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein step (e) of modifying theergonomic support belt comprises using a computer under software controlto model the forces, moments, or stresses applied by the ergonomicsupport belt to the human subject.
 26. The method of claim 25, whereinthe forces, moments, or stresses are applied to a preselected portion ofthe body of the human subject.
 27. A method of reducing back injury in ahuman subject comprising: securing an ergonomic back support to thehuman such that a first force applying structure is disposed adjacent afirst preselected location of the body of the human, and a second forceapplying structure is disposed adjacent a second preselected location ofthe body of the human, said first and second force applying structuresin use applying substantially similar forces to the human body, saidback support intermediate said first and second force applyingstructures applying forces to the human body that substantially differfrom the forces applied by the first and second structures.
 28. Themethod of claim 27 wherein the forces are preselected to minimize theforces, moments, or stresses applied to at least one intervertebral discof the human subject.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein the forcesapplied by the first and second structures are substantially higher thanthe forces applied by the back support intermediate said first andsecond structures.
 30. A system for modeling the response of a humansubject to suddenly applied loads comprising: (a) at least one sensorfor measuring (the time and/or magnitude of) the sudden load applied tothe human subject; (b) at least one sensor for measuring muscle responsein the trunk of the human subject to the suddenly applied load; (c) atleast one sensor for measuring forces, moments, or stresses at the feetof the human subject resulting from the application of the suddenlyapplied load; and (d) a computer under software control for receivinginput from the sensors and for modeling the forces, moments, or stressesapplied to at least one intervertebral disc of the human subject as aresult of the suddenly applied load being applied to the human subject.31. The system as set forth in claim 30 further including at least onesensor for measuring motion of at least one body segment resulting fromthe application of the suddenly applied load, and at least one sensorfor measuring the time course of the magnitude of the suddenly appliedload.
 32. A system for analyzing the response of human bodies to loadingevents such as unexpected or sudden loading events, said systemcomprising: a link-dynamics model and a finite element model of thehuman body stored in a computer readable form, said model includingmodels of bones, and further including models of soft tissues, includingmuscles and organs; an apparatus for applying loading events to thebodies of human subjects, said loading events being selected from thegroup consisting of sudden, expected loading events and unexpectedloading events; sensors for detecting the response of each human body inat least one location of said body to the loading events; a computer forreceiving data from said sensors, said computer using the models and thedata from the sensors to determine the response of human subjects in atleast a second location of the human body to said loading events. 33.The system as set forth in claim 32 wherein the computer determines theresponse of various muscle groups to the loading events, at least someof said muscle groups not having their response measured by the sensors.34. The system as set forth in claim 32 wherein the computer uses themodels and results from a plurality of human subjects to predict humanbody responses to said loading events.
 35. The system as set forth inclaim 34 wherein the computer uses said models and said results topredict differences in human body responses as a function of at leastone of body shape, body size, age, conditioning, and sex.
 36. The systemas set forth in claim 32 wherein the computer uses the models andresults from a plurality of human subjects to predict long-termcumulative injuries.
 37. The system as set forth in claim 32 wherein themodels and the results from a plurality of human subjects are used topredict potential back injury.
 38. The system as set forth in claim 32wherein the models and the results from a plurality of human subjectsare used to predict potential joint injury and injury of its associatedactive and passive soft tissues.
 39. The system as set forth in claim 32wherein the models and the results from a plurality of human subjectsare used to provide design information for support apparel such as backsupports and joint braces.
 40. An item of support apparel for reducingthe risk of injury to a human user comprising: a support body forsubstantially encircling at least a part of a human body; at least oneside panel disposed at a predetermined position along the support body;a plurality of protrusions at the side panel to apply selectivelyincreased pressure to the human body at a position determined by thelocation of the side panel.
 41. The item of support apparel as set forthin claim 40 wherein the location of said side panel is a function of atleast one of body shape, body size, age, conditioning, and sex.
 42. Theitem of support apparel as set forth in claim 40 wherein the item is aback support, and wherein no protrusions are disposed on the back of thehuman body when the back support is worn as intended.
 43. The item ofsupport apparel as set forth in claim 40 wherein the item is a backsupport, further including two side panels spaced along the support bodyto be disposed along the sides of a human user, each side panel having aplurality of said protrusions.
 44. The item of support apparel as setforth in claim 43 wherein said protrusions on each panel are spacedbetween approximately 4 millimeters and 70 millimeters, measured centerto center, from each other.
 45. The item of support apparel as set forthin claim 44 wherein said protrusions have a height from approximatelyone quarter inch (6.35 mm) to approximately one inch (25.4 mm).
 46. Theitem of support apparel as set forth in claim 44 wherein the protrusionshave a uniform cross-sectional shape.
 47. The item of support apparel asset forth in claim 46 wherein the protrusions have a hemisphericalshape.
 48. The item of support apparel as set forth in claim 40 whereinthe item of support apparel is a joint brace.
 49. The item of supportapparel as set forth in claim 40 wherein the support body and the sidepanel are composed of elastic material.
 50. The item of support apparelas set forth in claim 49 wherein the elastic material has a warp axisand a weft axis transverse thereto, the elastic material being cut sothat the weft axis substantially encircles the human body.
 51. The itemof support apparel as set forth in claim 40 wherein the item of supportapparel is a support belt, further including placement structure forfacilitating the placement of the support body at least one inch belowthe navel of a human user wearing the support apparel.
 52. The item ofsupport apparel as set forth in claim 51 wherein the placement structureis one selected from interior belt loops connected to the support body,adjustable shoulder straps with a release connected to the support body,and a back adjustment mechanism connected to the support body.
 53. Theitem of support apparel as set forth in claim 40 wherein the supportbody at the side panel provides a foundation for the protrusions havinga firmness higher than the average firmness of the support body.